2 Kings 10:24

Authorized King James Version

And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him.

Word-by-Word Analysis

מֵבִ֣יא

H935

And when they went in

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לַֽעֲשׂ֖וֹת

H6213

to offer

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

זְבָחִ֣ים

H2077

sacrifices

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

וְעֹל֑וֹת

H5930

and burnt offerings

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וְיֵה֞וּא

H3058

Jehu

jehu, the name of five israelites

שָֽׂם

H7760

appointed

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

ל֤וֹ

בַחוּץ֙

H2351

without

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

שְׁמֹנִ֣ים

H8084

fourscore

eighty, also eightieth

#10

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֗ים

H376

If any

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#11

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר

H559

and said

to say (used with great latitude)

#12

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֗ים

H376

If any

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#13

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#14

יִמָּלֵט֙

H4422

escape

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

#15

מִן

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#16

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֗ים

H376

If any

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#17

אֲשֶׁ֤ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#18

אֲנִי֙

H589

#19

מֵבִ֣יא

H935

And when they went in

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#20

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#21

יְדֵיכֶ֔ם

H3027

into your hands

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#22

נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃

H5315

he that letteth him go his life

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

#23

תַּ֥חַת

H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

#24

נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃

H5315

he that letteth him go his life

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing life contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 2 Kings Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes life in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How might the original audience's understanding of life differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does understanding life in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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